ORU Releases 2014-15 Summit League Schedule

TULSA, Okla. - Oral Roberts University finalized their 2014 women’s basketball schedule on Monday morning with the release of the 2014-15 Summit League slate. The Golden Eagles will play 16 games in their first season back in the Summit, beginning on Jan. 2.

Misti Cussen’s club begins conference play on Friday, Jan. 2 in Fargo, N.D., against North Dakota State. The Golden Eagles are 7-4 all-time against the Bison, and the most recent meeting was an historic one. On Feb. 4, 2012 in Fargo, ORU alumnus Kevi Luper broke the Summit League’s career scoring record in an 84-75 victory.

Oral Roberts completes their first Summit road trip on Sunday, Jan. 4 at Denver. ORU has never faced the Pioneers, who joined the Summit League prior to the 2013-14 season.

The Summit League home opener is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8 against defending conference tournament champion South Dakota. ORU and the Coyotes split a pair of games in 2011-12, their only prior season as fellow Summit members, with both teams winning on the road.

On Jan. 11, the Golden Eagles travel to Ft. Wayne, Ind., for a meeting with IPFW. ORU leads the all-time series, 8-3, and they swept the Mastodons in both 2010-11 and 2011-12.

A three-game home stand begins on Thursday, Jan. 15 against IUPUI. The two squads have a history that dates back to 1998, with ORU holding a 17-12 all-time edge. Oral Roberts defeated the Jaguars on March 11, 2008 to win their most recent Summit League Tournament Championship.

Western Illinois comes to the Mabee Center on Saturday, Jan. 17. ORU holds a 19-17 all-time series leads against WIU, although the Leathernecks scored a shock victory in the most recent meeting, an 83-71 win on March 3, 2012, to knock ORU out of the Summit League Tournament.

ORU hosts another new Summit League member on Saturday, Jan. 24, when they welcome Omaha to the Mabee Center. The Mavs have been provisional Summit members since the 2011-12 season and will be eligible for the postseason in 2013-14.

The first half of the league schedule ends on Thursday, Jan. 29, when the Golden Eagles travel to South Dakota State. The two teams split 12 meetings from 2007-12, with the Jackrabbits winning three of five in Brookings.

ORU stays on the road to face South Dakota on Saturday, Jan. 31, and they’re away again on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a matchup with Omaha. But a three-game home stand starts on Saturday, Feb. 7 when Denver comes to town, and it continues on Wednesday, Feb. 11 against North Dakota State and Friday, Feb. 13 against South Dakota State.

The last regular season road trip of 2014-15 begins on Thursday, Feb. 19, when the Golden Eagles take on Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill. On Saturday, Feb. 21, ORU heads to Indianapolis for a game against IUPUI.

The 2014-15 regular season finale is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, when ORU hosts IPFW. This will be the first time since 2010-11 that ORU hasn’t ended the regular season with a road trip.

The 2015 Summit League Tournament is scheduled for March 7-10 at the new Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. The top eight teams will qualify for the tournament, with the winner earning the Summit’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Tipoff times for the Summit League games will be announced at a later date.

ORU spent 1997-2012 in the Summit League (formerly Mid-Continent Conference). They won regular season championships in 2009-10 and 2010-11, and they captured the tournament title in 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Cussen released the non-conference portion of the 2014-15 schedule last week. ORU opens the year on Nov. 1 with an exhibition game against Rockhurst, with the regular season opener scheduled for Nov. 14 at Baylor.

ORU features a young but talented team in 2014-15. The Golden Eagles return just two starters, sophomore Kaylan Mayberry and senior Tysia Manuel, but they welcome eight newcomers, including five OGBCA All-State selections.

Season tickets for the 2014-15 ORU women’s basketball season cost just $49. To purchase tickets today, call (918) 495-7546.